Torah Cafe

After the Exodus from Egypt, Jews continued to go back to Egypt for most of our history. Jews lived in Egypt continuously from the time of the destruction of the First Temple around 421 BCE until the mid 20th century, making it possibly the longest continuous Jewish community in history.  A fascinating discussion about the history of the Jews of Egypt.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

Since modern science developed, there has been a long-standing tension between religion and science as many scientific discoveries contradicted long-standing religious beliefs and many scientists believed that new scientific wisdom made religion unnecessary. What does Judaism say about modern science? Can Jewish beliefs be reconciled with modern science? Do we embrace science, reject it or tread carefully around it? Does science weaken or strengthen our faith?  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

The final 5 days of Sukkot and the middle 4 days of Passover are called Chol Hamo'ed - "Mundane Festival". They are part of the holiday but not holidays. They are regular days and holy days. We are allowed to work but not supposed to work if possible. What are these paradoxical days about? A fascinating discussion about Chol Hamo'ed, the middle days of the festivals. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

We are commanded to live in the Sukkah over the festival of Sukkot. Our sages say that living in the Sukkah includes both eating and sleeping in the Sukkah. In the middle ages, Ashkenazic Jews stopped sleeping in the Sukkah. Today, many Jews sleep in the Sukkah while many others do not.  A fascinating discussion about the debate over sleeping in the Sukkah.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

One of the saddest chapters in Jewish history was the assassination of Gedaliah, the first Governor of Judea as a Babylonian province. The story told in the book of Kings is the first recorded Jewish assassination. The assassination which led to the end of the Jewish community in Judea for a few decades, is marked each year with the Fast of Gedaliah. Learn about the tragic story of Gedaliah and why we still mark the day of his assassination today.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the creation of Adama and Eve, the first people and the ancestors of all humans today. The creation of Adam and Eve is described in detail at the beginning of the Torah.  Why did G-d create Adam and Eve? How were they created? What did they do once they were created? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

Torah study has been central to Jewish life throughout our long history. Yet historically, Torah was primarily studied by men, with women having limited opportunities to study Torah. Starting in the early 20th century, women have had increasingly more opportunities to study Torah and an increasing number of women have become Torah scholars. A fascinating discussion about women's role in Torah study and why the opportunities provided for women to study Torah changed so much in the 20th century. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

Rabbi Yehudah Lowe of Prague, better known as Maharal was one of the greatest rabbis, scholars, philosophers, Kabbalists and statesmen in Jewish history. He served as the rabbi of Prague in the 16th Century but his influence spread far and wide and is still felt today.  Perhaps, the Maharal is best known for the controversial legend about his creation of a Golem, a humanoid made from clay that protected the Jews of Prague.  A fascinating discussion about the life and ideas of one of Judaism's most important personalities and whether he actually made a Golem.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

The Torah instructs us that when judging the actions of others, we should always judge them favorably assuming the best motive and intent. This can be difficult at times especially when the intent is clearly negative or the actions particularly harmful. How can we realistically follow the command to always judge others favorably? A fascinating class on the important Mitzvah of judging others favorably.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support

Central to Judaism is the belief that there will come a time when the world with its challenges and problems as we know it will end and we will enter a new era without evil, struggling and challenges. There will be an individual who will lead us to this period called Moshiach - the anointed one. A fascinating discussion about the Jewish belief in the coming of Moshiach and what we believe will happen at the end of times. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zalman-gordon/support